definitions

ascension

[ uh-sen-shuh n ]
/ əˈsɛn ʃən /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ascension ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of ascending; ascent.
the Ascension, the bodily ascending of Christ from earth to heaven.
(initial capital letter) Ascension Day.

RELATED WORDS

ascent, rise, flying, soaring, rising, mounting, scaling, towering

Nearby words

ascending lumbar vein, ascending node, ascending pharyngeal artery, ascending rhythm, ascenez, ascension, ascension day, ascensionist, ascensiontide, ascensive, ascent

Origin of ascension

1300–50; Middle English ascencioun (< Anglo-French) < Latin ascēnsiōn- (stem of ascēnsiō), equivalent to ascēns(us) risen up (past participle of ascendere, equivalent to ascend- climb up (see ascend) + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
Related formsas·cen·sion·al, adjective

Definition for ascension (2 of 2)

Ascension

[ uh-sen-shuh n ]
/ əˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

a British island in the S Atlantic Ocean: constituent part of St. Helena. 34 sq. mi. (88 sq. km).
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ascension

British Dictionary definitions for ascension (1 of 3)

ascension

/ (əˈsɛnʃən) /

noun

the act of ascending
astronomy the rising of a star above the horizon
Derived Formsascensional, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for ascension (2 of 3)

Ascension

1
/ (əˈsɛnʃən) /

noun

New Testament the passing of Jesus Christ from earth into heaven (Acts 1:9)

British Dictionary definitions for ascension (3 of 3)

Ascension

2
/ (əˈsɛnʃən) /

noun

an island in the S Atlantic, northwest of St Helena: uninhabited until claimed by Britain in 1815. Pop: 884 (2010 est). Area: 88 sq km (34 sq miles)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ascension

ascension

n.

c.1300, "ascent of Christ into Heaven on the 40th day after the Resurrection," from Latin ascensionem (nominative ascensio) "a rising," noun of action from past participle stem of ascendere "to mount, ascend, go up" (see ascend). Astronomical sense is recorded late 14c.; meaning "action of ascending" is from 1590s. Related: Ascensional.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper